The newly appointed Fiji national men’s football head coach, Stéphane Auvray, will take on a dual role, guiding both the country’s national team and its first professional football franchise, Bula FC, in the upcoming OFC Professional League.
Auvray will be assisted by national assistant coach Marika Rodu, with both tasked to lead the new franchise through its debut season when the Oceania-wide competition begins in January 2026.
Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel confirmed the arrangement during the launch of the Bula FC, saying it was a practical and financially sound decision given the short duration of the OFC Pro League, which runs from January to April next year.
“If you appoint a skilled coach, it’s financially viable and logical to second them to the pro league side, and then they return to the national team,” Patel said.
“This way, we maintain consistency and save costs, while ensuring the same high standards of coaching for both the national and professional teams.”
Patel said the new setup would help align Fiji’s football development goals and strengthen the link between the national team and the emerging professional scene.
“Having Auvray involved with both teams ensures that our best local talent gets exposure to professional-level coaching, which will raise the overall standard of the game in Fiji,” he added.
Auvray’s immediate attention remains on preparing the national team for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Papua New Guinea next month.
Once the campaign concludes, Auvray and Rodu will turn their focus to Bula FC’s pre-season training, which is expected to begin in December.
The establishment of Bula FC marks a major milestone for Fijian football, as the club becomes the country’s first professional franchise competing at the regional level. The move is seen as a crucial step toward developing a stronger domestic football structure and providing local players with professional opportunities at home.
The OFC Professional League will be officially launched next Tuesday in Auckland, New Zealand, and will feature professional clubs from across the Pacific.
